Dr Growgood (B53) has a snake oil to rival any gardener's secret concoction. Quick-Sol is an organic soil and plant treatment, made in Florida, which promotes sturdy wind-proof stems and strong roots, and resistance to pests, diseases and drought. Used by professional growers in 30 countries, it arrived in Britain last September and is already under trial with British Sugar. A 500ml bottle usually costs £12.95 but will be £9.95 at the show.

Felco's Essentiel secateurs is a new budget version of its famous cutters. By changing the handles from forged aluminium to composite fibre, the price has been almost halved to £24.99. But the Essentiel carries the same lifetime guarantee. Head for Burton McCall (B40).

The power shears from WOLF-Garten (C27a) now have lithium-ion batteries, giving 125 minutes of continuous chopping on grass or 100 on hedges, a vast improvement on 20-25 with eco-unfriendly nickel cadmium. The shears (£99) come with blades, detachable wheels and a telescopic handle.

Room in the Garden (C63) combines practicality with romance with its bespoke rusted iron fruit cages. This is unashamedly a luxury option; a cage measuring 1.5m by 3m, perfect for a town garden, would cost £3,850. The company also does smart strawberry cloches.

For adaptability, the Smart Cart from Globe Organic Services (A105) is hard to beat. The plastic body unclips from the frame so you can use it as a party drinks cooler, dog bath or paddling pool. The barrow comes in blue or green, carries a lifetime guarantee, and costs from £299.63 to £351.33. A kit to tow it behind a tractor is £92.82.

Tubtrugs (C34) has gone back to its eco-roots, producing its useful, two-handled tubs in recycled plastic. They come in more muted shades than the regular range but cost the same: £3.99 to £7.99.

Decorative accessories

Bird tables have become very architectural lately and porticos and Gothic arches usually come at a price. Not so at Banana Barn Nature (A58), which is selling its hanging Bempton bird table, an elegant pavilion with a verdigris copper roof, for £24.50.

Paul Baxter's giant copper piranha evokes a different spirit - you can't help but giggle when you see it swimming surreally in an English garden. Lit up inside with LEDs, it becomes quite menacing at night. The toothy fish costs £2,938 from Hortus Sculpture on the Bax Design stand (D63).

Artist-blacksmith Bex Simon (A23) has made a fantastical firepit that works as sculpture too. The round rusted base is surrounded by sea anemone-like metal tendrils to hold in the flaming wood or charcoal (£1,880).

Luca's Garden (B95) turns old aircraft tyres into swings and it has now devised one called the Sling Swing, which accommodates plumptious adult behinds and up to 14 stone, as well as children (£39.99).

A sphere is a very appealing shape, futuristic yet cuddly, and two companies have adopted it to make garden dens for grown-ups. The more elaborate (£6,350 with cover) option is the rotating lounger from Farmers Cottage Lamps (A83), which has a wooden frame with polycarbonate windows in the segments in between. The bench and table inside convert to a bed so you can even camp out in it.

Its rival, the Nest from Ampersand Lifestyle Garden Furniture (C55), is a chocolate-coloured ball, made of synthetic wicker, with a hole cut out at the front. You can stand it on legs or hang it from a tree and it costs £799 (rrp £1,075) at the show, including the light fitting and waterproof cushions, mattress and cover, and delivery. Ampersand has also designed a groovy chair, shaped like a giant apple. Hinged in the middle, the two halves open up for lounging in, then close up tight to keep the squashy cushions inside clean and dry.

Optimistic British gardeners will have barbies on their mind and Mode Home & Garden (C27) is selling the ultimate mass catering solution. Big Bubba is a monster charcoal barbecue more than 4ft wide with enough settings to satisfy even the most alpha chef. It costs £350 at the show instead of £499.

For lighting, head to the Country Living Pavilion at the Hampton Court Flower Show where Country Home & Garden Antiques (CLM17) has pretty and very affordable tea-light holders: shiny cans with heart-shaped holes (£2.50), glass with an antique mirror effect (£3.95) and pastel-coloured glass (£9.95 for four).

The final purchase, the cherry on top, is bunting (£12.50 for 5m) in cheeky gingham, stripes and fabric covered with hearts from Turquaz (CLM121). Let the party begin!